The American Hospital Association (AHA) is lobbying CMS to modify the shared savings rule. According to AHA, the current rules are bringing too much financial risk to the providers without offering them enough financial rewards. A recent report suggests that out of 114 providers in Medicare Shared Savings Program, only 29 were able to realize the savings. AHA has recommended that CMS should extend ACO engagement period from 3 year to 6 year. As per Linda E. Fishman, an AHA senior vice president of public policy analysis and development, the only way CMS can encourage ACO participation is by modifying shared savings program. For more details please visit Ron Shinkman's article link: http://www.fiercehealthfinance.com/story/hospitals-want-cms-ease-aco-rules/2014-04-21

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has announced the last date for the third round of new applications for 2015 Medicare Shared Savings Program (MSSP). The following five key decisions will help organizations before joining the MSSP program. They are:

•        Estimate the number of Medicare beneficiaries for whom the prospective ACO(Accountable Care Organizations) wants to be accountable.

•        Determine an appropriate contracting vehicle through which to operate the ACO.

•        Consider the types of health care professionals and facilities the prospective ACO should target as participants.   

•         Set expectations for prospective ACO participants in advance.

•        Gather the appropriate staff to address particular aspects of the MSSP Application early and set milestones in advance of submission deadlines where possible.

To read more about this aspect, please visit Stephanie D. Willis’s (Associate of Mintz Levin) article link as given below: http://www.natlawreview.com/article/five-key-decisions-acos-accountable-care-organization-looking-to-participate-2015-ms